15 new pullets not sleeping in the coop with the flock

[Zeoliter]

Our original flock is 14 hens and one rooster. They are about 7 months old. We bought another 15 chicks (all hens) and introduced them to the flock when they were about 3 weeks old. This was 3 weeks ago. We partitioned a section of the run to keep them separate for a week and then let them out. The older hens will pick on them from time to time. When we let them out of the run the 6-week-old pullets will often hang out in the coop. But at night the pullets sleep outside in the run. Either huddled together on the floor or in a tree (cut down to 2 meters to fit in the run). The run is about two-thirds covered so they're protected from the elements.

The coop I built is massive. Based on a Carolina Coops design and is 10'x10'. I have a laddered roosting setup inside. with 4 roosting bars at varying heights. The hens sleep on the top 2 roosts. 10 on the top, 5 on the next one down. There are 2 and a half roosting bars not used.

Will the hens eventually allow them into the coop? In about 6 weeks they will be fully grown and indistinguishable from the other hens (most are Red Stars although 4 of the new pullets look like Plymouth Rock).

 

[Ursuline Chick]

Welcome from New Orleans in the USA! I am glad to have you with us.
What is the temp at night where you are? Is it possible that they are huddled together because they are cold?

 

[Mrs. K]

I would go down after dark, and just put them on the floor in the coop. A couple times of this, and they should go to the coop at dark. Chickens are very habitual, and once they start, you need to step in.

 

[Ridgerunner]

The older hens will pick on them from time to time.

Is this mainly when personal space is invaded, regardless of whether it is the younger or the older doing the invading? It is pretty common with mine for the more mature to peck the less mature if they get too close together. It usually doesn't take long for the younger to learn to avoid the older. As long as the older are not searching them out to attack I don't see a problem, sounds very normal to me.

But at night the pullets sleep outside in the run.

Again, this sounds fairly normal. It is possible they are avoiding the older but your coop should be big enough they can do that while the others are on the roost. Or it may be what Mrs K mentioned, they are not used to sleeping in the coop. Either way my suggestion is the same as Mrs K's. After dark put them on the coop floor and lock them in there. If it is dark they should be fairly easy to catch and the older can't see to attack them. Then be down there at daybreak every morning until you are convinced the older will not attack them. With mine that is typically one or two days. The goal is to get them to go inside at night on their own. I don't care where they sleep as long as it is not in my nests and it is somewhere predator safe.

 

[Zeoliter]

Welcome from New Orleans in the USA! I am glad to have you with us.
What is the temp at night where you are? Is it possible that they are huddled together because they are cold?

It's starting to get cold at night here in southern Japan so for sure that's why they are huddling together.

 

[Zeoliter]

Is this mainly when personal space is invaded, regardless of whether it is the younger or the older doing the invading? It is pretty common with mine for the more mature to peck the less mature if they get too close together. It usually doesn't take long for the younger to learn to avoid the older. As long as the older are not searching them out to attack I don't see a problem, sounds very normal to me.

Generally, yes. But occasionally a hen will be mean and go looking for trouble. The younger pullets are small and fast and easily run away.

 

[Zeoliter]

I would go down after dark, and just put them on the floor in the coop. A couple times of this, and they should go to the coop at dark. Chickens are very habitual, and once they start, you need to step in.

Again, this sounds fairly normal. It is possible they are avoiding the older but your coop should be big enough they can do that while the others are on the roost. Or it may be what Mrs K mentioned, they are not used to sleeping in the coop. Either way my suggestion is the same as Mrs K's. After dark put them on the coop floor and lock them in there. If it is dark they should be fairly easy to catch and the older can't see to attack them. Then be down there at daybreak every morning until you are convinced the older will not attack them. With mine that is typically one or two days. The goal is to get them to go inside at night on their own. I don't care where they sleep as long as it is not in my nests and it is somewhere predator safe.

The coop is in a field about 5 minutes drive away so not as easy as all that. Plus the coop doesn't have a door to the run, just an open door-sized hole. So if I put them in I'm sure they'll just bail as soon as I go to get another one.

If I don't intervene will they eventually go in by themselves?

 

[Ridgerunner]

My brooder raised chicks sleep in a huddle on the floor until they start to roost, even in the heat of summer. At six weeks old, yours are fully feathered out, they don't need each other to stay warm, they just like the company. Some of yours are roosting in that tree, those are not huddling. Don't read too much into them sleeping in a huddle, that's just the way they sleep until they roost.

The coop is in a field about 5 minutes drive away so not as easy as all that. Plus the coop doesn't have a door to the run, just an open door-sized hole. So if I put them in I'm sure they'll just bail as soon as I go to get another one.

If it is dark enough, maybe not. But how hard would it be to put a temporary door on it, even if it is just a piece of plywood or metal held in place by a stick brace. I can see where it is inconvenient both to lock them up at night and let them out in the morning.

If I don't intervene will they eventually go in by themselves?

There is no way to know. They might, they might not. They may easily decide that sleeping in that tree is a good place or even on top of you coop if they can get to it. Even if they do sleep inside it probably won't be on the roosts with the older until they mature themselves, even on the lower roosts. You might consider putting in a separate roost to give them a safe place to go that is not your nests if they do move inside.

 

[My Very First 6 Chickens]

Our original flock is 14 hens and one rooster. They are about 7 months old. We bought another 15 chicks (all hens) and introduced them to the flock when they were about 3 weeks old. This was 3 weeks ago. We partitioned a section of the run to keep them separate for a week and then let them out. The older hens will pick on them from time to time. When we let them out of the run the 6-week-old pullets will often hang out in the coop. But at night the pullets sleep outside in the run. Either huddled together on the floor or in a tree (cut down to 2 meters to fit in the run). The run is about two-thirds covered so they're protected from the elements.

The coop I built is massive. Based on a Carolina Coops design and is 10'x10'. I have a laddered roosting setup inside. with 4 roosting bars at varying heights. The hens sleep on the top 2 roosts. 10 on the top, 5 on the next one down. There are 2 and a half roosting bars not used.

Will the hens eventually allow them into the coop? In about 6 weeks they will be fully grown and indistinguishable from the other hens (most are Red Stars although 4 of the new pullets look like Plymouth Rock).

It seems adding 15 chicks (hens) to an already young established flock of 14 has everyone in a tizzy. I have read that the original flock will not let others in that flock so the new chickens have to form a subflock. I imagine with everyones young age they are all in a tizzy tryin' to figure out whats what! As well as the stress in general. I have no idea, just a guess from a little backyard owner of 5 hens who i watch constantly. If you have enough space, they'll figure it out. sometimes being a chicken is tough! i have 4 who have never given Patient a chance after spending a week in the house after an accident at 4 months old. She remains terrorized but no blood shed and they usually just poke her head and chase her away, so thats normal. i sneak Patient treats when they are not looking! Good Luck to you and all your flocks ~ Thrive on! <3

 

[KatiewithZena]

Our original flock is 14 hens and one rooster. They are about 7 months old. We bought another 15 chicks (all hens) and introduced them to the flock when they were about 3 weeks old. This was 3 weeks ago. We partitioned a section of the run to keep them separate for a week and then let them out. The older hens will pick on them from time to time. When we let them out of the run the 6-week-old pullets will often hang out in the coop. But at night the pullets sleep outside in the run. Either huddled together on the floor or in a tree (cut down to 2 meters to fit in the run). The run is about two-thirds covered so they're protected from the elements.

The coop I built is massive. Based on a Carolina Coops design and is 10'x10'. I have a laddered roosting setup inside. with 4 roosting bars at varying heights. The hens sleep on the top 2 roosts. 10 on the top, 5 on the next one down. There are 2 and a half roosting bars not used.

Will the hens eventually allow them into the coop? In about 6 weeks they will be fully grown and indistinguishable from the other hens (most are Red Stars although 4 of the new pullets look like Plymouth Rock).

Hi just wondering how things are going? Have your new flock started going into the coop with the others at night now???
I have 11, 6 week old silkie chicks that I am integrating with my existing flock of 1 silkie roo and 2 silkie hens (1 of which has 2, 2week old chicks).
I had them in a coop/run next to the others for 2 weeks before I let them out to mingle, they all free range in the backyard happily together, but as 2 separate flocks. At night the 11 won't follow the others up into the coop, they go back into their own run/coop, so every night I have to move the 11 into the coop with the OGs...
I want to know how long I'm going to have to do this for...